Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: April 1, 2025

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Horror; Thriller

Rating: 5/5

Deadsteam is a well done young adult horror from an author who truly understands both streaming culture and crippling anxiety. Our main character, Theresa, survived a car accident that killed her best friend and has left her terrified of everything. The overwhelming grief coupled with her anxiety has left Theresa turning more to the online world where she can escape reality by watching creators stream and streaming herself as her alter ego, Replay. One day she is watching her favorite streamer, Brick, when something bizarre happens and then he suddenly goes comatose and stays on stream for hours not moving. It starts infecting other streamers and even Theresa herself which forces her to face all of her demons in an effort to save herself and those she cares about.

The topics in this book were so current to today’s culture and gives a real understanding to why so many people are finding safety and community through the internet. I also loved how Romasco-Moore is able to vividly show how devastating anxiety can be. I also want to note that while I am referring to Theresa with a female pronoun there is a great part of the book that talks about gender identity and how Theresa views themselves.

The actual crux of the story was very good. I was instantly swept up into the story and I would read huge chunks of this book without even realizing how much time had gone by. Part of this book is told through chats and video descriptions which really helps the reader visualize what is happening but helps keep up the high pace of the novel. Romasco-Moore also had some intense moments of both panic and horrific moments that had me on the edge of my seat.

This is an intense novel that can be difficult at times to read so please check trigger warnings before starting. Even though this is a young adult novel I think will appeal to people of many ages. Romasco-Moore has a few books on her backlist that sound intriguing so I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.